Lakers News: Rui Hachimura Aiming to be More Than Just a Mid-Range Maestro
For the Los Angeles Lakers to be great this season, they are going to need their role players to really step up. The stars can’t do it all, so the depth that LA has put together will be relied upon heavily throughout the year.
One of those players that LA will be counting on will be forward Rui Hachimura. Hachimura came up massive for the Lakers in the playoffs last season. He saw his averages rise heavily, and it gave the team a major boost.
The former first-round draft pick never saw his potential be reached while with the Washington Wizards, but we saw glimpses of it with LA. Now, entering a full year with the Lakers, Hachimura wants to prove that he can be a truly impactful player.
His three-point shot-making was out of this world, and it allowed the Lakers to really space the floor in the playoffs. He used this summer to get stronger, and if he can learn to attack the rim with force and consistency, LA will have another element to their offense at their disposal.
Hachimura worked out with LeBron James all summer, so the hope is that it helps improve his game. Learning from James has worked out well so far for the young forward, and now the two have formed an even closer bond.
He has the size and versatility to be a strong contributor to this team. Hachimura was used during the postseason to guard some of the opponents' bigger guys when the Lakers went small, and it worked out decently for them.
LA may choose to continue going with this type of lineup at different points this season, and Hachimura will need to again rise up. If he can continue to step up his game, LA will be in a great spot for the season.
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